It seems like a numbers game. Averages and point values. Assessments and progress reports- numbers representing learning. When we can quantify things, narrow them down so we can analyze and strategize- this makes sense. This allows us to label learning- put it into an expectations box. Its how it is because in order to organize the data others are looking for- we need a number.
Funding comes from the number, the data. Success is measured in grade point average and ranking. Its all about that range- falling into the top percentage. Getting a certain score on standardized tests. Quantitative seems to rule our lives. Academic, financial. Credit scores and cost of living. Cause and effect, causation and correlation- this data leads to this data- we are very much an end game society. When maybe we need to figure out more ways to be a process society.
We focus on outcome not the steps taken. We focus on box office numbers not the actual movie. Not how well the movie connected with the audience. It is about rotten tomatoes and critic reviews. Its all quantitative and living in such a world - we often forget to look beyond the quantitative- to allow for more organic fluidity and yes, failure. We say it is alright to fail, but then we expect an immediate turn around. Get back up again and succeed, like right now.
But, qualitative means growth, change, alteration, decomposition- a step away from the measurable and this is a difficult task because we are designed to see patterns and quantify them. We are mentally designed to see how everything fits together. How much do we succeed? How often do we fail? How can we assemble things to grow and progress. Rather than just be. Just breathe. Just see the world and find our place in it.
It's a quandary and something on my mind lately. How much of our 'idea of success' is measured by someone else's quantifiable data and measurement.
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